Temecula, California, is a wonderful place to visit.
When we visited Temecula during the holidays—the second week of December, to be exact—every inch of Old Town Temecula was decorated with bows, ribbons, glitter, lights, and Santa. It was terrific, and I’m so glad I got to see the town during the holidays. For a truly old-town experience, I recommend visiting during this time. However, the activities we did can be done at any time of year. Here are fabulous things to do in Temecula, California, for all.
Temecula, CA, is a popular tourist and local destination, known for its wine country, which features over 50 wineries that produce award-winning vintages. Downtown Old Town Temecula adds a charming historic touch, featuring wooden boardwalks, antique shops, and bustling restaurants. Mix the two for an exceptional time in Southern California. We only stayed one night, but I suggest at least two nights to experience it all in its entirety.
Disclosure: Sonesta invited me on a media trip to Temecula, CA, to stay at Signature Temecula. All opinions are my own.
Things to Do in Temecula, California (Where to Stay)
When it comes to finding a place to stay in Temecula, there are many options. Next time you’re in town, consider staying at Signature Temecula for a great retro experience.
Signature Temecula is 22 miles from the Pacific Ocean and a short stroll from Old Town Temecula. Along with its retro guest rooms, the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center.
Great Things To Do In Temecula, California
Whether you go to Temecula Valley, aka Southern California Wine Country, for its award-winning wines or to explore the shops, lively entertainment, and dining of Old Town, or both, you’re in for a treat in the entire area. This is one place in the United States that I would love to return to.
Shops In Old Town Temecula
Old Town has many cool and unique shops, but we only covered and shopped at a few. If you ever get the chance to visit, take a whole day to ensure you see and shop it all.
Temecula Lavender Co
If you’re a lavender lover, stop by and pick up a few of our handmade products. We talked with the owner, Jan Schneider, and learned a lot from her, especially about her love for lavender. This store is one of the oldest shops in town.
Old Town Sweet Shoppe
Who doesn’t love candy? Better yet, who doesn’t love reminiscing about the candy you grew up on? Here you can. Dive into the retro candy store and find those nostalgic times from days gone by.
Temecula Spice & Tea Merchant
What a treat this store was to us all. They offer a robust selection of over 350 spices and blends, as well as more than 100 loose-leaf teas. It’s a local favorite here. And local chefs use these species as the perfect culinary accompaniment to Temecula’s award-winning wines and beers.
Weld + Wool
Weld + Wool is a hat bar and permanent jewelry boutique. You can select your favorite hat and decorate it as you like. We each enjoyed customizing a hat for ourselves. Mine is above.
Temecula Olive Oil Company
We all enjoyed the olive tasting – so much so, a few of us had them ship us an order. I use their cooking oils with all my evening meals.
There were other shops on Main Street and the side streets. Of course, we didn’t get to browse through all of them. That’s another reason I need to go back!! Search Visit Old Town Temecula is a great place to learn more about the area.
Places To Eat In Old Town Temecula
We ventured out to a few places to eat in Old Town Temecula, including the Swing Inn Cafe owned by actor Dean Norris (of Breaking Bad). We even got to meet him! Below are a few suggestions.
Breakfast at Swing Inn Cafe & BBQ
Swing Inn originally opened in 1927 and is nestled in the heart of Old Town Temecula. It offers a breakfast menu with loads of flavor, including the shareable cinnamon roll.
Lunch at 1909 Temecula
Stop in for burgers and fries and see the bullet holes in the ceiling from long ago when this building occupied the Long Branch Saloon – the roughest place in town to get a drink. You may even hear a story or two.
Dinner at The Goat & Vine
At The Goat & Vine, you’re sure to get a good meal. The culinary team starts their day at 3 am to handcraft breads, pizza dough, sauces, dressings, and proteins from scratch. That pizza was so yummy! We actually had about five pizzas on the table to choose from, and we all ordered a salad.
Cocktails at Thompson & Twain Speakeasy
This is a popular neighborhood spot that is connected to the Crush & Brew restaurant. You’ll find an extensive cocktail menu. The bartenders also have their way of making cocktails up their sleeves – just ask.
Tour Temecula Valley Wine Country
The picturesque Temecula Valley, located in Southern California Wine Country, is about an hour from San Diego and Palm Springs, and 90 minutes from Los Angeles. It’s a beautiful region with rolling hills, high mountains, and nearly 50 wineries that thrive in the wine scene.
Van ‘N Boozy VW Bus
To do it the California way, take the Van ‘N Boozy bus to the wine country and let them take you from place to place. We visited three or four wineries in this area and had lunch. As a Texas girl who loves Texas wines, it was nice to taste California wines.
After our trip to Temecula, we headed to Palm Springs to stay at another Sonesta property, the Signature Inn in Indio. You’ll want to see how we explored Palm Springs, California. Hint: Coachella.